Refined imaging is developing a secure, printable INK technique to cyber-track parts, authenticate components, and address the risks in additive manufacturing (3D-printed manufacturing) supply chains

Refined Imaging, LLC was awarded a $200,000 cooperative agreement from the National Institute of Standards and Technology under the Science, Technology, Business and/or Education Outreach federal grant program to develop a secure, printable ink technique for cyber-tracking additive manufactured parts. The company will conduct proof of concept experiments to program 3D printers to modulate material porosity during deposition, resulting in an optically invisible patterned code that can be scanned for authentication purposes. Subrecipients Simba Chain, Eva Garland Consulting LLC, and Michele Maasberg will provide technical assistance, adaptation of blockchain technologies, and risk assessment activities respectively to support development of a preliminary trust anchor demonstration unit. The funding aims to address risks in additive manufacturing supply chains by creating a quality assurance tool with implications for national security and economic success in vulnerable industries such as aerospace, defense and automotive manufacturing.

Activities

In proof of concepts experiments, cell phone pictures will be taken of transparency films. Then, refined imaging will program 3D-printers to modulate the porosity of material during the deposition and printing process. The resulting patterned code is not optically visible and will be scanned by x-RAY tomography and interferometry.

Expected outcomes

Feasibility experiments will demonstrate that a patterned picture and texture image are sufficient for proof of authority blockchain. Experiments with 3D-printers will demonstrate that am materials have the mechanical strength capable of creating cyber-secure marks on am parts.

Intended beneficiaries

The customer market targets manufacturers vulnerable to counterfeit components, where counterfeit components fail to meet performance metrics and pose risks for investigation and reputation. This includes the aerospace, defense, and automotive markets.

Subrecipient activities

The following companies have been selected by refined imaging to provide consulting and subcontracting activities:- simba chain, will provide services in adaptation of an existing smart contract, blockchain website and cell phone APP into a preliminary version of a trust anchor demonstration unit. - EVA garland consulting LLC will provide technical and business assistance (taba). - michele maasberg, consultant, will perform risk assessment activities.